Positioning of a guitar amp during practice and gigs?

Question

Hey guys,

I was just wondering how do you position a guitar amp during practice and gigs?

Are you supposed to be standing infront of the amp or behind it or does it even matter? Also to avoid any ear damage, which placement would be best?

Thanks a lot!

Answer 1

you should place everything strategically.  ill give you the basic set up for my band.

Drums in the back of the room.

PA system is parallel with the drumset, facing in the same direction, but slanted slightly towards the center of the room

guitar amp 1 is on one side of the room, pointed towards the other side

bass amp is on the other side of the room, pointed towards the drummer.  the bass is the most likely to be heard by everyone given its frequency, and the most important to be heard by the drummer

guitar amp 2 is across from the drummer.

microphones are in the middle of the room, pointed away from the drummer and thus away from the PA monitors.

you should stand facing your band mates (in practice) so you can make eye contact and communicate, and all amps should face where you can hear them over the drums.

for ear protection, play at a quieter volume or do what many pros do and i myself do (a former pro), use good earplugs.  good earplugs can actually make hearing easier, because the noise will be less muddy and you will be able to hear all the instruments clearly.  i highly recomend them.

Answer 2

Practice

  The guitar amped should be sitting (raised about a metre off the ground) nearby where the P.A speakers are it doesn't really matter where exactly and the bass amp should be by the bass drum

As for Gigging

   It depends if you're plugged into a bigger system.. you should be plugged into the system of wherever you're playing with you're volume on very low.. otherwise it must be behind you, pointing toward the crowd(and you) if plugged into a bigger system, just be sure you have a monitor(a smallish speaker aimed at you) to hear if the levels are all right, as well as you're effects maybe

Answer 3

You should place your amplifier behind you when you play gigs.  That way they're not in the direct line of sight of the audience, blocking the visual of the band, and because if you play professional gigs the monitor wedges will be in front of you.  If you're playing loud enough (probably any higher than 90db or so) you should be wearing ear plugs to protect your ears anyway.